best transducer for HB 899 ?

Ripped the factory one off . I see they offer several that is compatible. I've read here about the 800 khz. Which is best , what are the settings for each ducer?

Get the HD ducer. If you haven't opened your ducer package that came with your unit you can send it to Humminbird fr an exchange for the HD ducer and you pay $90 extra and they ship you the ducer and you ship them your old ducer in exchange.
Or you can do what I did and buy the HD ducer out right and put the HD on the stern and the non HD on the TM. Just a suggestion if you already opened the standard ducer. The HD costs about $200.
The settings are the same. You just need to adjust your monitor settings to make it clear the way you want it.

I agree with kickingback ...get the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T ...

The added functionality of the 800kHz will be putting another tool in your fishing arsenal toolbox ...and a sharper tool at that ...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps8630f91a.jpg

Rickie

If you decide to buy HD transducer outright shop around. I bought one brand new in the package for 165.00

Just be sure to set the Connected Transducer menu to the "Hi-Def Sidescan" menu setting ("Compact Sidescan" should be the default menu setting for the 899ci HD Si model units).

Go to Bass Boat Central forums, look for the Humminbird Image Interpretation, then there is a thread HD vs Compact transducer. Look at the images posted there is considerable difference in the two. I tried to copy and paste a link but couldn't get it done on my phone.

Wow, looked at that thread on bbc and compared the two pictures. There can be no doubt that the hdsi image was better but how much better is the question. With my glasses on, the pictured zoomed to the size of an 899, and at my typical standing distance from the screen when driving and scanning I really couldn't see the detail that was there and it looks virtually the same to me. It's when I get my eyes right up to the screen that I can see the benefit. I have to say it's rare that my eyes are right at the screen while on the boat. It reminds me of shopping for a large big screen tv. A lower resolution screen can look just as good as hd at a comfortable viewing distance. It's when you get up close that you see the pixelization of the lower res screen while the HD remains sharp. This need some more thought.

It's not that much better on the unit. Most pictures look better on hum viewer or other software, but not much difference on water. I fish shallower water and the 455 is my preference in most cases. Since you are having to buy a new one I would get the HDSI if possible just to have a choice, but I do not recommend the transducer exchange.

Thanks crappie limits I was hoping that someone would clarify that. I will probably get the hdsi transducer eventually but after my recent issue with the exchange program I want to try the compact transducer first and see what it's like. It's fun to look at the nice pictures on the pc but with glare and water spots on the screen while in use I would be a little annoyed that I wasn't able to see a vast difference while on the water.

There's 2 HDSI xducers in the classifieds right now ...

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/personal-classified-ads/

Rickie